Inside Al-Qaeda: a window into the world of militant Islam and the Afghani alumni

The author of this article, Richard Engel, charts the careers of some of Bin Laden's converts and co-conspirators, offering insight into Al-Qaeda's inner workings.

Engle interviewed Ibrahim, a 38 year old Egyptian in Cairo. In 1983, Ibrahim was one of the leaders of the Gamaa Islamiya (Islamic Group) when he met Osama Bin Laden. "We met Osama ibn bin Laden on an Islamic pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia," said Ibrahim, using the traditional Islamic form of the Saudi exile's name. "He was a devoted young man who, like any young man, loved his religion. Then he changed and wanted there to be Islamic movements all over the world, Calphiite Dream that the IslamoFasist insist on creating.

Get insight into Al-Qaeda by reading more of the article at Jane's Intelligence and Insight